Who are Lauren James and Reece James - England and Chelsea’s football siblings?

Lauren James’s sixth-minute strike was enough to continue England’s 100% record at the Women’s World Cup on Friday.

The 21-year-old scored a sensational goal to win the match in her first World Cup - a contrast with her brother’s luck. Reece James, 23, was left “devastated” when he missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to a knee injury.

The Lionesses’ 1-0 victory leaves them in line for the knockout stages and it is likely striker Lauren James will play a key role.

Who is Lauren James?

Lauren James is an English footballer who has been chosen to represent the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The striker plays for Chelsea and was a member of the team which won both the Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Women’s FA Cup last season.

James was born on 29 September 2001 in London and she had spells in both the Chelsea and Arsenal academies as a teenager.

She was heavily influenced by her father Nigel who works as a UEFA licensed football coach.

James made her first team debut for Arsenal during the 2017/18 season and became the second-youngest player to represent the Gunners. James made five first-team appearances for the north London side before completing a move to join Manchester United in the second tier.

The transfer propelled James to stardom and she was a key part of the team which earned promotion to the WSL in the 2018/19 campaign, scoring 14 goals in 18 appearances. James wrote her name into the history books by scoring Manchester United’s first goal in the WSL era.

James spent a further two seasons with the Red Devils before joining champions Chelsea in 2021.

During her time with the Blues she has lifted a total of two WSL titles and two FA Cups. Her standout performances last season earned her the Young Player of the Year award at the Women’s Football Awards.

Is she related to Reece James?

Lauren James is the younger sister of Chelsea footballer Reece James, who is a regular fixture in the men’s international team.

He is viewed as one of the best attacking full-backs in the Premier League and played a key part in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021.

The east Londoner has 15 full England caps.

Lauren James and the Lionesses

The Lionesses forward made her debut for England Women in 2022.

“I want to carve out [my own name] and be known as ‘this is Lauren James’,” she said, adding: “At the moment, men’s football has a much bigger profile and I’m sure there are times when I’ve said, ‘oh, that’s so and so’s sister, I think it’s just natural. But it doesn’t bother me too much because I know I have my own career.”

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